12/20/2018

Christmas is around the corner, true, but just beyond that, on the horizon, is a very special concert with Brooklyn's Burlap to Cashmere. Pop Matters says "If there’s room in your pop heaven for Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, the Indigo Girls, and Fleet Foxes, you oughta make room for Burlap to Cashmere, mostly-acoustic choogaloogers with a thing for lyrics both inscrutable and sincere." Christianity Today says of its self-titled album that "the new album's natural production allows acoustic guitars to sound like acoustic guitars—an important detail since the band's world-music influences remain intact (a good thing). . . .The flamenco guitars and uncommon time signatures are captivating, and the melodies in "Santorini," an ode to Greece, sound like they were snatched right off the country's shores."

It'll be a treat - a Christmas present - to have Burlap to cashmere here in Cary on December 30th. Please join us. Get your tickets now.

12/17/2018

This is my favorite song - what I consider the centerpiece - of Burlap to Cashmere's self-titled record released a few years ago. Shortly after hearing the record, some friends along with my wife and I attended a Burlap to Cashmere concert at The Arts Center in Carrboro. It was especially poignant and comforting, as at the time my mother was in hospice and, unknown to me, would die two days later. So, that concert, and this record, and this song in particular, have special meaning for me.

Since that first time hearing Burlap, I have heard them four times - twice in my house, and twice in New York City. They are excellent musicians and wonderfully kind people, and love interacting with an audience, on or off stage. It'll be a treat - a Christmas present - to have them here in Cary on December 30th. Please join us. Get your tickets now.

12/07/2018

"Tonight you had real musicicans." That's what one attendee told me. "Incredible night, incredible venue, one I will not forget." That's what another person told me. And what a concert is was! On both occasions when I have had Burlap to Cashmere in the house, tickets have sold out. 75 people willingly cram together in my home for this popular band. This is a band that really connects with an audience and stays around talking to each person until the very last fan leaves. That's rare.

Now, however, you have a bit more room, better stage and lighting, and a full band for the first time in the area when the band plays at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary on Sunday, December 30th at 7:00. What are you doing that evening? That's what I thought - nothing! Avoid the NYE crowds and come out on the Eve of the Eve. And hang around for food and drink afterwards and talk with the band. Get your tickets now for this incredible show by clicking here.

What do they play? Songs from their entire repertoire, audience requests, and new tunes from Freedom Souls, their newest release. And a few bonuses: Covers like "Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash, and "The Boxer," by Paul Simon, and perhaps even a little B2C Christmas cheer. Wise cracks. Confessions. "Family" ribbing (Johnny and Steve are cousins, and Teddy may as well be, as he grew up with them.)

And the fans? Many die-hard, some new. All convinced that this is a great band. The first time I hosted this band, one couple called to apologize that they could not make the "drive FROM OHIO due to the rain." Wow. Others drove a couple hours in the rain. But all were excited to be here. What a chemistry this band has, what warmth, what soul, and what heart. Brooklyn and Jersey come South.

HERE'S MORE:

READ: For a band that many wondered what had happened to, the last few years have seen Burlap to Cashmere blow back into the national scene with gusto. In 1998 the band released the critically acclaimed debut Anybody Out There? After a whirlwind of tours, awards and an ever-growing fan base, they did what no one expected. They disappeared. And then, they were back.

In 2010 the band headed into the studio with acclaimed producer Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits). The result? A self-titled album of new, organic sounds with faith-tinged lyrics that won't leave your head. And with this year's Freedom Souls,they continue with that same organic sound with just enough tweak to keep us guessing,

With its core lineup intact – singer/guitarist/songwriter Steven Delopoulos, guitarist John Philippidis, and drummer Theodore Pagano — Burlap to Cashmere returned with renewed focus, drive and energy. “There’s something about family and people you’ve known forever that makes the chemistry happen,” Delopoulos says. “There’s a sense of honesty and trust. That’s Burlap to Cashmere.”

This is a band that has a deep and accomplished musicianship and a really distinctive sound. This is particularly apparent in the songs that incorporate their unique approach to traditional Greek rhythms, songs that recall the musical intimacy of Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel, coupled with Delopoulos’ introspective, poetic songwriting. Fans of modern troubadour outfits like the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons will find common ground with Burlap to Cashmere’s output, with the added textures of the Greek and Mediterranean influences further fleshing out the band’s unique take on 21st Century folk-rock music.

WATCH B2C perform "Closer to the Edge" and check out their other videos on YouTube:

11/25/2018

A couple years ago I wrote a review of Burlap to Cashmere's last album, Freedom Souls. I called lead singer Steven Delopoulous on the phone and had a good chat, distilling this review from listening to him. I think it gives a good insight into the soul of this band.

"I still don't know how to write a song," says Steven Delopoulous, lead singer and songwriter for Burlap to Cashmere. "It's still a mystery, but still something I want to tackle."When Burlap to Cashmere burst into the Christian music scene in the late Nineties, they were in their twenties - a hardworking Brooklyn band fighting for every gig they got. A 1998 Squint/A&M debut, Anybody Out There?, garnered excellent reviews and better gigs, as well as an opening spot on a Jars of Clay tour. Watching a YouTube video of their performance of “Basic Instructions” at Creation Festival in 1999 is to behold a Greek version of an Avett Brothers/ Gypsy Kings mashup, band members full of movement, interacting with the crowd, and enjoying each other. This is family music, soaked in the sounds of the Mediterranean, mixed with a little Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkel, and simmered in the stew of what you imagine to be a big, lovable, sometimes loud Greek family, with profound lyrics that won't leave your head.

But while this talented band made a good start, constant touring took its toll. So in the early 2000s, band members each went their own way, some to marry and have families, all to steady jobs. After an incident of road rage left lead guitarist Johnny Phillipidis in a coma for three weeks, it wan’t clear that they would ever perform again. Yet, after a miraculous recovery, in 2011 the three founding members — Phillipidis, cousin Steven Delopoulous, and Theodore Pagano regrouped, releasing a critically acclaimed self-titled album on Sony/Jive. They recently returned with a crowd-funded follow up, Freedom Souls.

OnFreedom Souls Greek rhythms once again appear, whether in the “The Great I Am,” a lyrical statement of faith, or the crowd-pleasing closer, “Dialing God,” which has a rousing three-minute coda of dizzying musicianship. In between, there are familiar folk and country strains, as well as a few departures, as in the title track, with its lounge music vibe. And while their 2011 album was lyrically rich but often veiled in meaning, like fine poetry, Freedom Souls is driven by more overt expressions of belief. The opening track, “I Will Follow,” is both a statement of deliverance from sin and a commitment to follow Christ, with lyricist and lead singer Deloupolous lamenting that “I have followed my bones, I have followed this world/ But in the long run it seems it never cured my woes.” In a way, Freedom Souls hearkens back to the declaratory statements of their 1998 debut, strained through the crucible of life experience.

Deloupolous attributes the lyrical freedom to this being a fan-supported record. With the previous mainstream release, the label wanted him to “dumb down the lyrics, even though I naturally write that way. I enjoy writing faith-based records because it’s freeing for me. There’s a lot of meat and potatoes in a verse out of the Bible, and I like playing with that.”

If there’s a lyrical centerpiece here, it’s likely the folksy mid-album ballad entitled “Passover,” which while not instrumentally incendiary has the memorable musical feel of the last album’s “Closer to the Edge.” With it’s reference to “blood on the door,” Delopulous summons up that familiar scriptural narrative of judgment and deliverance to animate the prayer of the chorus, “Lord, you know my heart so won’t you/ Pass over me.” Elsewhere, themes of exile and pilgrimage abound, with prevalent images of desert and sea, of call and response, of old life and new.

Not that all is new. Some of the songs have percolated for more than two decades. “‘I Will Follow’”is a song I wrote over 20 years ago,” says Delopoulous. “I played it for Johnny when he must have only 14 years old. I was 17. And he said to me, ‘Steven, that’s the worst song you’ve ever written.’ He said “You can do much better. You’re a better writer than that. So I scrapped it. Twenty years later, I don’t know what made me play it, but when I did Johnny and Teddy’s ears lit up, and they said ‘Let’s work on that. Let’s work on that.’"

11/22/2018

"Tonight you had real musicicans." That's what one attendee told me. "Incredible night, incredible venue, one I will not forget." That's what another person told me. And what a concert is was! On both occasions when I have had Burlap to Cashmere in the house, tickets have sold out. 75 people willingly cram together in my home for this popular band. This is a band that really connects with an audience and stays around talking to each person until the very last fan leaves. That's rare.

Now, however, you have a bit more room, better stage and lighting, and a full band for the first time in the area when the band plays at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary on Sunday, December 30th at 7:00. What are you doing that evening? That's what I thought - nothing! Avoid the NYE crowds and come out on the Eve of the Eve. And hang around for food and drink afterwards and talk with the band. Get your tickets now for this incredible show by clicking here.

What do they play? Songs from their entire repertoire, audience requests, and new tunes from Freedom Souls, their newest release. And a few bonuses: Covers like "Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash, and "The Boxer," by Paul Simon, and perhaps even a little B2C Christmas cheer. Wise cracks. Confessions. "Family" ribbing (Johnny and Steve are cousins, and Teddy may as well be, as he grew up with them.)

And the fans? Many die-hard, some new. All convinced that this is a great band. The first time I hosted this band, one couple called to apologize that they could not make the "drive FROM OHIO due to the rain." Wow. Others drove a couple hours in the rain. But all were excited to be here. What a chemistry this band has, what warmth, what soul, and what heart. Brooklyn and Jersey come South.

HERE'S MORE:

READ: For a band that many wondered what had happened to, the last few years have seen Burlap to Cashmere blow back into the national scene with gusto. In 1998 the band released the critically acclaimed debut Anybody Out There? After a whirlwind of tours, awards and an ever-growing fan base, they did what no one expected. They disappeared. And then, they were back.

In 2010 the band headed into the studio with acclaimed producer Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits). The result? A self-titled album of new, organic sounds with faith-tinged lyrics that won't leave your head. And with this year's Freedom Souls,they continue with that same organic sound with just enough tweak to keep us guessing,

With its core lineup intact – singer/guitarist/songwriter Steven Delopoulos, guitarist John Philippidis, and drummer Theodore Pagano — Burlap to Cashmere returned with renewed focus, drive and energy. “There’s something about family and people you’ve known forever that makes the chemistry happen,” Delopoulos says. “There’s a sense of honesty and trust. That’s Burlap to Cashmere.”

This is a band that has a deep and accomplished musicianship and a really distinctive sound. This is particularly apparent in the songs that incorporate their unique approach to traditional Greek rhythms, songs that recall the musical intimacy of Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel, coupled with Delopoulos’ introspective, poetic songwriting. Fans of modern troubadour outfits like the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons will find common ground with Burlap to Cashmere’s output, with the added textures of the Greek and Mediterranean influences further fleshing out the band’s unique take on 21st Century folk-rock music.

WATCH B2C perform "Closer to the Edge" and check out their other videos on YouTube:

11/10/2018

This is my favorite song - what I consider the centerpiece - of Burlap to Cashmere's self-titled record released a few years ago. Shortly after hearing the record, some friends along with my wife and I attended a Burlap to Cashmere concert at The Arts Center in Carrboro. It was especially poignant and comforting, as at the time my mother was in hospice and, unknown to me, would die two days later. So, that concert, and this record, and this song in particular, have special meaning for me.

Since that first time hearing Burlap, I have heard them four times - twice in my house, and twice in New York City. They are excellent musicians and wonderfully kind people, and love interacting with an audience, on or off stage. It'll be a treat - a Christmas present - to have them here in Cary on December 30th. Please join us. Get your tickets now.

11/03/2018

In just 57 days we'll be hosting Burlap to Cashmere in full touring band for a concert in Cary! This incredible, Meditteranean-sound influenced band can rock as well as sing soft, sweet, Simon and Garfunkel-esque songs, like "Love Reclaims the Atmosphere," a performance of which appears here. Don't miss this show. Get your tickets now.

11/01/2018

"Tonight you had real musicicans." That's what one attendee told me. "Incredible night, incredible venue, one I will not forget." That's what another person told me. And what a concert is was! On both occasions when I have had Burlap to Cashmere in the house, tickets have sold out. 75 people willingly cram together in my home for this popular band. This is a band that really connects with an audience and stays around talking to each person until the very last fan leaves. That's rare.

Now, however, you have a bit more room, better stage and lighting, and a full band for the first time in the area when the band plays at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary on Sunday, December 30th at 7:00. What are you doing that evening? That's what I thought - nothing! Avoid the NYE crowds and come out on the Eve of the Eve. And hang around for food and drink afterwards and talk with the band. Get your tickets now for this incredible show by clicking here.

What do they play? Songs from their entire repertoire, audience requests, and new tunes from Freedom Souls, their newest release. And a few bonuses: Covers like "Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash, and "The Boxer," by Paul Simon, and perhaps even a little B2C Christmas cheer. Wise cracks. Confessions. "Family" ribbing (Johnny and Steve are cousins, and Teddy may as well be, as he grew up with them.)

And the fans? Many die-hard, some new. All convinced that this is a great band. The first time I hosted this band, one couple called to apologize that they could not make the "drive FROM OHIO due to the rain." Wow. Others drove a couple hours in the rain. But all were excited to be here. What a chemistry this band has, what warmth, what soul, and what heart. Brooklyn and Jersey come South.

HERE'S MORE:

READ: For a band that many wondered what had happened to, the last few years have seen Burlap to Cashmere blow back into the national scene with gusto. In 1998 the band released the critically acclaimed debut Anybody Out There? After a whirlwind of tours, awards and an ever-growing fan base, they did what no one expected. They disappeared. And then, they were back.

In 2010 the band headed into the studio with acclaimed producer Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits). The result? A self-titled album of new, organic sounds with faith-tinged lyrics that won't leave your head. And with this year's Freedom Souls,they continue with that same organic sound with just enough tweak to keep us guessing,

With its core lineup intact – singer/guitarist/songwriter Steven Delopoulos, guitarist John Philippidis, and drummer Theodore Pagano — Burlap to Cashmere returned with renewed focus, drive and energy. “There’s something about family and people you’ve known forever that makes the chemistry happen,” Delopoulos says. “There’s a sense of honesty and trust. That’s Burlap to Cashmere.”

This is a band that has a deep and accomplished musicianship and a really distinctive sound. This is particularly apparent in the songs that incorporate their unique approach to traditional Greek rhythms, songs that recall the musical intimacy of Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel, coupled with Delopoulos’ introspective, poetic songwriting. Fans of modern troubadour outfits like the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons will find common ground with Burlap to Cashmere’s output, with the added textures of the Greek and Mediterranean influences further fleshing out the band’s unique take on 21st Century folk-rock music.

WATCH B2C perform "Closer to the Edge" and check out their other videos on YouTube:

06/28/2017

Though we have no scheduled house concerts this Summer, two of our regular attenders, Jon and April Schweitzer, are hosting Christa Wells and Taylor Leonhardt in concert on Sunday, July 9th, in Cary. I recommend these singer-songwriters, both from the area. You can find details about the concert and links to their music here.

12/31/2016

It's not too late to obtain tickets for tonights concert - truly a special event. Go ahead and purchase tickets online, as they are $5 more at the door. The Alathea girls are in town and ready to go! They'll be sound checking this afternoon and we'll start on time at 7:00.

Please be sure and join us for a reception afterwards with some cider and other refreshments. Meet Mandy and Cristi at that time as well.

12/30/2016

I cannot imagine a better way to close out the year than by hearing the acoustic folk-pop and Appalachian melodies of the female duo that make up Alathea. It's fusion music that they make: Using traditional bluzegrass instruments in a modern way, prinicipal singer/songwriter Mandee Radford and band mate Christi Johnson mix it up with guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and dulcimer, but never in a strictly traditional way. Add Mandee's clear-as-a-bell vocals and Christi's smoky harmonies, and the sound is infectious --- not slick but rootsy. Deep. That depth extends to the lyrics which are rooted in a spiritual perspective that is always pecolating underground. The title of their fourth album, My Roots Grow Deeper, about says it all. It's no wonder that one of the songs off that album, "Hurricane," was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

The duo will be sharing songs from their latest Christmas EP (and the former one), new stories of parenthood and otherwise, and their winning humor and smiles. So, avoid the crowds of First Night, pry yourself off the sofa or recliner in front of yet another mix up of pop divas from far away cities, and join us. (You'll still be home way before the ball drops at midnight.) Bring some friends. Close out the year on a good, harmonious note.

Purchase tickets here. And, if you are not familiar with Alathea, check them out in the Appalachian Service projects video here. See you on New Years Eve!

12/27/2016

I cannot imagine a better way to close out the year than by hearing the acoustic folk-pop and Appalachian melodies of the female duo that make up Alathea. It's fusion music that they make: Using traditional bluzegrass instruments in a modern way, prinicipal singer/songwriter Mandee Radford and band mate Christi Johnson mix it up with guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and dulcimer, but never in a strictly traditional way. Add Mandee's clear-as-a-bell vocals and Christi's smoky harmonies, and the sound is infectious --- not slick but rootsy. Deep. Alathea.PosterThat depth extends to the lyrics which are rooted in a spiritual perspective that is always pecolating underground. The title of their fourth album, My Roots Grow Deeper, about says it all. It's no wonder that one of the songs off that album, "Hurricane," was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

This concert will not be in the house this time but at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary. We'll be able to stretch out a bit more, and there will still be time to mingle over refreshments in a festive setting. The duo will be sharing songs from their latest Christmas EP (and the former one), new stories of parenthood and otherwise, and their winning humor and smiles. So, avoid the crowds of First Night, pry yourself off the sofa or recliner in front of yet another mix up of pop divas from far away cities, and join us. (You'll still be home way before the ball drops at midnight.) Bring some friends. Close out the year on a good, harmonious note.

Purchase tickets here. And, if you are not familiar with Alathea, check them out in the Appalachian Service project video here.

12/22/2016

In little over a week, Mandee and Cristi will load the truck, bid farewell to the family, and make their way down the mountain to the flatlands (relatively speaking) of Raleigh and Cary, but what they carry is more than instruments and equipment. The best part is the new songs they're humming, and the new stories they tell, the poems and prayers and promises (thank you, John Denver) of life experiences --- ones borne out of walking the mountains, raising children, and traveling around.

They're the kind of songs that are "tested and approved for all ages," the kind that make you "tremble. . . in the face of what we can't explain." Listening, they make me want to "keep on the sunny side," or feel like I've climbed into the very "lap of God." But enough ripping song lyrics: you need to hear them sing and tell stories. You need to come.

Get a ticket, or two. Right here. Bring the family. Bring the neighbors. Blow up the tv and get a little country (thank you John Prine). See you on December 31st!

12/17/2016

I cannot imagine a better way to close out the year than by hearing the acoustic folk-pop and Appalachian melodies of the female duo that make up Alathea. It's fusion music that they make: Using traditional bluegrass instruments in a modern way, prinicipal singer/songwriter Mandee Radford and band mate Christi Johnson mix it up with guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and dulcimer, but never in a strictly traditional way. Add Mandee's clear-as-a-bell vocals and Christi's smoky harmonies, and the sound is infectious --- not slick but rootsy. Deep. That depth extends to the lyrics which are rooted in a spiritual perspective that is always pecolating underground. The title of their fourth album, My Roots Grow Deeper, about says it all. It's no wonder that one of the songs off that album, "Hurricane," was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

This concert will not be in the house this time but at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary. We'll be able to stretch out a bit more, and there will still be time to mingle over refreshments in a festive setting. The duo will be sharing songs from their latest Christmas EP (and the former one), new stories of parenthood and otherwise, and their winning humor and smiles. So, avoid the crowds of First Night, pry yourself off the sofa or recliner in front of yet another mix up of pop divas from far away cities, and join us. (You'll still be home way before the ball drops at midnight.) Bring some friends. Close out the year on a good, harmonious note.

Purchase tickets here. And, if you are not familiar with Alathea, check out the official video here:

12/13/2016

if you're in town on New Years Eve, come to an evening of enjoying music and refreshments with new and old friends. Peace Presbyterian Church is pleased to host the female duo, Alathea, at 7:00-9:00 on December 31, 2016. Who is Alathea? I like what biographer Dave Palmer said about them in conjunction with the release of one of their past albums:

The real substance of Alathea comes from the unexpected, the underground and the out of sight. The duo’s fourth full-length recording, My Roots Grow Deeper, conveys a depth of thought, insight and care that is rare in a surface age, and which puts on display the reason for their continually expanding community of supporters. And that’s what Alathea has developed: community, not fans.

My Roots Grow Deeper is a full and textured record, thoroughly modern yet absent of any cliché, studio trickery or gimmicky hybrids. Led by Radford’s clear-as-a-bell vocals, and complemented by Johnson’s smoky harmonies, the song cycle delivers an emotional and atmospheric ride as dynamic as the mountain view they glimpse from their East Tennessee cabin. That spirit allows Alathea to connect to anyone, anywhere, simply by being invitational in the way they approach their craft and their lives. And while their lyrics display a sharp intellect and grounding in the work of influential artists, it is the unresolved honesty of how the songs are conveyed that marks Alathea’s work.

12/07/2016

I cannot imagine a better way to close out the year than by hearing the acoustic folk-pop and Appalachian melodies of the female duo that make up Alathea. It's fusion music that they make: Using traditional bluegrass instruments in a modern way, prinicipal singer/songwriter Mandee Radford and band mate Christi Johnson mix it up with guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and dulcimer, but never in a strictly traditional way. Add Mandee's clear-as-a-bell vocals and Christi's smoky harmonies, and the sound is infectious --- not slick but rootsy. Deep. That depth extends to the lyrics which are rooted in a spiritual perspective that is always pecolating underground.

This concert will not be in the house this time but at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary. We'll be able to stretch out a bit more, and there will still be time to mingle over refreshments in a festive setting. The duo will be sharing songs from their latest Christmas EP (and the former one), new stories of parenthood and otherwise, and their winning humor and smiles. So, avoid the crowds of New Years Eve, pry yourself off the sofa or recliner in front of yet another mix up of pop divas from far away cities, and join us. (You'll still be home way before the ball drops at midnight.) Bring some friends. Close out the year on a good, harmonious note.

Purchase tickets here. And, if you are not familiar with Alathea, check out their "Rescue" here:

11/24/2016

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! After the meal, after time with family, after time to thank God, it's a great time to plan ahead for attending the upcoming Alathea Concert on New Year's Eve! I've previewed their new Christmas EP, Comfort & Joy, and you can too, right here. I'll be adding it to my Christmas rotation. . . tomorrow!

I cannot imagine a better way to close out the year than by hearing the acoustic folk-pop and Appalachian melodies of the female duo that make up Alathea. It's fusion music that they make: Using traditional bluegrass instruments in a modern way, prinicipal singer/songwriter Mandee Radford and band mate Christi Johnson mix it up with guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and dulcimer, but never in a strictly traditional way. Add Mandee's clear-as-a-bell vocals and Christi's smoky harmonies, and the sound is infectious --- not slick but rootsy. Deep. Alathea.PosterThat depth extends to the lyrics which are rooted in a spiritual perspective that is always pecolating underground. The title of their fourth album, My Roots Grow Deeper, about says it all. It's no wonder that one of the songs off that album, "Hurricane," was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

This concert will not be in the house this time but at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary. We'll be able to stretch out a bit more, and there will still be time to mingle over refreshments in a festive setting. The duo (along with Caedmon's Call drummer Garret Buell) will be sharing songs from their latest Christmas EP (and the former one), new stories of parenthood and otherwise, and their winning humor and smiles. So, avoid the crowds of First Night, pry yourself off the sofa or recliner in front of yet another mix up of pop divas from far away cities, and join us. (You'll still be home way before the ball drops at midnight.) Bring some friends. Close out the year on a good, harmonious note.

Purchase tickets here. And, if you are not familiar with Alathea, check them out in the Appalachian Service project video below.

11/06/2016

I cannot imagine a better way to close out the year than by hearing the acoustic folk-pop and Appalachian melodies of the female duo that make up Alathea. It's fusion music that they make: Using traditional bluegrass instruments in a modern way, prinicipal singer/songwriter Mandee Radford and band mate Christi Johnson mix it up with guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and dulcimer, but never in a strictly traditional way. Add Mandee's clear-as-a-bell vocals and Christi's smoky harmonies, and the sound is infectious --- not slick but rootsy. Deep. That depth extends to the lyrics which are rooted in a spiritual perspective that is always pecolating underground. The title of their fourth album, My Roots Grow Deeper, about says it all. It's no wonder that one of the songs off that album, "Hurricane," was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

This concert will not be in the house this time but at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary. We'll be able to stretch out a bit more, and there will still be time to mingle over refreshments in a festive setting. The duo will be sharing songs from their latest Christmas EP (and the former one), new stories of parenthood and otherwise, and their winning humor and smiles. So, avoid the crowds of First Night, pry yourself off the sofa or recliner in front of yet another mix up of pop divas from far away cities, and join us. (You'll still be home way before the ball drops at midnight.) Bring some friends. Close out the year on a good, harmonious note.

Purchase tickets here. And, if you are not familiar with Alathea, check them out in the Appalachian Service project video below.

11/11/2015

Keith Anderson is hosting a Derek Webb concert this Friday in Wake Forest. This is a part of Derek's 10th anniversary Mockingbird house show tour on Saturday, November 14 at 8 pm. As some of you know, Derek is a talented and sometimes provocative musical artist. Most of his music has been marketed in the Christian music industry, but he has also challenged the status quo thematically and musically in that framework. He is touring in celebration of the 10th anniversary of his pivotal third record, Mockingbird, which contains songs that challenge the listener’s perspective of nationality, possessions, and relationships in light of the kingdom of God. You can reserve a seat for $20. All of the money will be used to cover the costs of the event and to support Derek.

Tickets:http://derekwebbmockingbirdwf.eventbrite.com

More on Keith's house concert series is here:http://houseontherockconcerts.com/

09/22/2015

If you're holding out, thinking something else better may come along, don't. It won't. This is an incredible band that rarely makes it our way, and to see the up close is awesome. So, get more info and reserve a couple of the few remaining seats now. Check it all out HERE.

09/21/2015

Though the guys are younger in this 90s video of "Eileen's Song," a cut off their 90s album. Yet they haven't changed. Burlap to Cashmere remains a great band, instrumentally diverse and lyrically thoughtful. Greek rhythms overlay a folk-rock feel that is excellent for an intimate, house venue.

There are still seats available for this concert on Friday, September 25th at 8:00. Meet the guys and enjoy the fellowship of listeners. To reserve seats, click HERE.

09/19/2015

In less than a week, we'll be hosting one of the best bands I have ever heard in concert. Burlap to Cashmere is at core three Brooklyn guys, two of which are cousins, that have been playing together virtually all their lives. You can hear it in their banter among themselves and in their playing: they anticipate each others' moves, whether conversationally or musically. For a couple hours, being with them in concert is like being a part of a big fat Greek family! And hearing them in a house setting is the best: you can listen, talk, and reflect --- all without the noise of a bar.

Please come. Find out more information and reserve a seat HERE. You'll be glad you did.

09/14/2015

Folks, there are still some seats available for the Burlap to Cashmere house concert on Friday, Sept. 25th. Join us for a great band, refreshments, and friends in the house at 8:00 that evening. You do need a reservation, so to obtain more information and reserve a seat, go here: http://www.brookhavenhouseconcerts.com/burlap-to-cashmere-saturday-september-27-2014-800-pm.html.
I hope to see you on the 25th!

09/11/2015

In "Brain Fog," a song off Freedom Souls, their new release, Burlap to Cashmere sound something like a wake up call to believers. Over an ominous, driving beat, Steven Delopoulos sings "I'm living on borrowed time/ I know this world is not my home/ Have you seen my Father's rooms?" What I appreciate most about these news songs is their musical breadth and lyrical depth. You'll hear them all at the concert on Sept. 25th, as well as many of the great songs from the past records.

We are already half full for the concert, yet if this year is like last year's concert, we will begin to fill up soon. Don't miss out. The concert is at 8:00 on Friday, Sept. 25th. To come, you must reserve seats HERE. If you are able, reserve at the VIP price. Mostly that just helps me pay for the concert, but it has a few perks: early admittance and choice of seats, time to chat with the band members with only a small group around, and a photo with the band.

09/09/2015

Over a year ago, in April 2014, my wife and I were in New York, sitting front and center at a club in Greenwich Village, Le Poisson Rouge, where this video was filmed. It was an incredible night, the club packed with fans, a significant portion of whom seemed to be family members --- and as this is a Greek family, that can be a lot of people. It was a sweet night, a reunion of sorts, and though we were outsiders, we had a delightful time.

We won't crank it up quite as much as you'll hear in this song, but I was amazed last year how a song like this has the same energy when performed acoustically in the close quarters of a house. Hear Burlap to Cashmere, and I think you will agree. We're filling up, but we still have seats to this great show on Friday, September 25th. There is no better way to hear music than in a house. Don't miss out. Reserve your seats now. Click here for more info and to reserve.

09/05/2015

I love Freedom Souls, the newest release from Burlap to Cashmere. One key difference between it and the previous release, which has wonderfully memorable yet often ambiguous lyrics, is its more direct statements of faith. I had a chance to talk with lead singer and writer Steven Deloupolous about this. He attributes the lyrical freedom to this being a fan-supported record. With the previous mainstream release, he said the label wanted him to “dumb down the lyrics, even though I naturally write that way. I enjoy writing faith-based records because it’s freeing for me. There’s a lot of meat and potatoes in a verse out of the Bible, and I like playing with that.”

If there’s a lyrical centerpiece to the record, it’s likely the folksy mid-album ballad entitled “Passover,” which while not instrumentally incendiary, has the memorable musical feel of the last album’s “Closer to the Edge.” With it’s reference to “blood on the door,” Delopulous summons up that familiar scriptural narrative of judgment and deliverance to animate the prayer of the chorus, “Lord, you know my heart so won’t you/ Pass over me.” Elsewhere, themes of exile and pilgrimage abound, with prevalent images of desert and sea, of call and response, of old life and new.

Not that all is new. Some of the songs have percolated for more than two decades. “‘I Will Follow’”is a song I wrote over 20 years ago,” says Delopoulous. “I played it for Johnny when he must have only 14 years old. I was 17. And he said to me, ‘Steven, that’s the worst song you’ve ever written.’ He said “You can do much better. You’re a better writer than that. So I scrapped it. Twenty years later, I don’t know what made me play it, but when I did Johnny and Teddy’s ears lit up, and they said ‘Let’s work on that. Let’s work on that.’"

We can be glad they did.

They'll be here September 25th. Tickets are going fast. For more info and to reserve a seat, go HERE. Invite some friends and join us for a great evening.

08/31/2015

Though it's not from the current release, I love this video of a song, "Love Reclaims the Atmosphere," from the last Burlap to Cashmere release. While not all their music is so mellow, this one has that melodic Paul Simon feel to it. You'll hear it and more if you attend the concert on September 25th.

B2C is one of those very unique bands that mixes faith, a Greek sound (to what do you compare that?), and a fun, interactive time with the audience, much like you might expect at an Avett Brothers concert. I've heard them in various settings, but a house really brings out the best in them. They perform, of course, but it feels less like a performance than what they may do sitting around at home. And they invite us in, providing a healthy banter with the audience.

Reserve your seats now by visiting the concert page here. Invite some friends to come. Meet some new friends. And enjoy a great band and super bunch of guys.

08/25/2015

At lunch yesterday I was talking with a good friend about the new album by Burlap to Cashmere, Freedom Souls. He had already listened to it ten times and wasn't sure he liked it quite as much as the previous album, so he needed to listen more. Yet the important part of what he said was "ten" and "more." He's a fan. You will be too, if you already aren't, if you hear them live.

Seats are already being reserved for this great house show on Friday, Sept. 25th. If you haven't made a reservation, please do so now, and let your friends know by checking out all the details here. See you on Sept. 25th!

Meanwhile, check out this beautiful song, entitled "Passover," form the latest record.

08/18/2015

I am really excited to have these veteran musicians return to our home. Since hearing Burlap to Cashmere in concert several years ago at The Arts Center in Carrboro, and then later in Greenwich Village in NYC, I have wanted to have these guys here, close up. Last year, that happened, and what a night it was! If you were there, you know. They have a unique, folk-rock sound, tinged with Medittaranean influences. They enjoy each other and, indeed, grew up playing songs together. And while it's not woship music, you'll detect with clarity the faith in lead singer Steven Delopoulos' lyrics - more pronounced than ever on their new release, Freedom Souls. For more information and to buy tickets, click HERE. Meanwhile, take a peek at this video of that NYC concert I attanded. Wow. What a great song.

About Us

Brookhaven House Concerts presents the music of singer-songwriters in the intimate setting of a home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our focus is on introducing intelligent, thoughtful, and spiritually provocative music to our community of friends, old and new. Reservations are required and are confirmed by your artist donation. Check out our upcoming concerts, past concerts, and favorite links. Read more about us here.